KOGEL BAY RESORT - City of Cape Town

Useful information
KOGEL BAY RESORT
Clarence Drive, Gordons Bay
CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: 021 850 4172 (Booking Office)
Fax: 021 850 4266
Email: resort.bookings@capetown.gov.za
Kogel Bay is one of the 13 resorts managed by the City of Cape Town.
Resorts and key
For more information see below or visit,
www. capetown.gov.za/en/sportandrecreation
1 Silwerstroomstrand, Atlantis
Tel: 021 572 0835
2 Soetwater, Kommetjie
Tel: 021 783 1747
Camping
Chalets
Have a wonderful stay
3 Millers Point, Simonstown
Tel: 021 786 1142
4 Fish Hoek, Fish Hoek
Tel: 021 782 5503
5 Zandvlei, Muizenberg
Tel: 021 788 5215
6 Blue Waters, Strandfontein
Tel: 021 372 2929
7 Monwabisi, Khayelitsha
Tel: 021 372 2929
8 Macasser, Macasser
Tel: 021 900 4038
9 Voortrekker Park, Strand
Tel: 021 850 4169
10 Harmony Park, Gordons Bay
Tel: 021 850 4172
11 Hendon Park, Gordons Bay
Tel: 021 856 8161
12 Kogel Bay, Gordons Bay
Tel: 021 850 4172
13 Kuilsrivier, Kuilsrivier
Tel: 021 900 1653
KOGEL BAY
RESORT

Introduction
Kogel Bay Resort is located along Clarens Drive between Gordons Bay and Rooi-
Els. Clarens Drive is a scenic drive along mostly undeveloped parts of the coastline
and forms part of the first leg of the Whale Route that leads to Hermanus. The
resort is situated in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve between high mountains and
is surrounded by indigenous fynbos. The resort fronts unto a four kilometer wide
sandy beach. The high mountains shelter the beach from the strong south Easter
winds during summer, making it a sought after beach and camping facility.
Facilities
274 non electrified camping sites
Activities
• Swim (when lifesavers are on duty) and tan at Kogel Bay beach. The beach
is dangerous for swimming, due to rip currents, but lifeguards are on duty
during peak season.
• Surf at Dappat se Gat near the caves.
• Walk the hiking trails within the Kogelberg nature reserve.
• Drive to Steenbras River mouth and take a walk up the cliffs to spectacular
mountain pools.
• Take a scenic drive via Rooi-els to Betty’s Bay and walk in the Harold Porter
Botanical Garden or watch the African Jackass penguin colony in their
natural habitat.
• Drive to Kleinmond and Hermanus to watch the whales during the period
June to November.
Environment
The Kogelberg Nature Reserve and the Resort are part of the greater Kogelberg
Biosphere. The Reserve covers about 100 000 hectares, encompassing the entire
coastal area from Gordons Bay to Bot River Vlei, and inland to Grabouw and the
Groenlandberg. The Reserve is South Africa’s first biosphere reserve with official
status, registered with UNESCO in 1998. This area is considered the heart of
the Cape Floral Kingdom because of its rich fynbos vegetation. It is home to at
least 1600 different plant species, including the marsh rose, once on the verge of
extinction. The Reserve includes private, provincial and municipal nature reserves,
the Harold Porter Botanical Garden, the Palmiet River estuary, sections of the
coast, and the marine area.
Kogel Bay, also known as Koeëlbaai (cannon ball bay), is named for the large,
round boulders that line its shore in places. These not only resembles cannonballs,
but the sound it makes as the rocks roll over in the waves reminded early
mariners of cannonballs clunking together on a ship’s deck.
Fauna
The Kogelberg Nature Reserve is home to a variety of animal species. The majestic
Verreaux’s Eagle, Klipspringer and Baboons are common sightings here. A pause
along the road verges is an opportunity to take in the magical vistas, and enjoy
“aerial” views of whales and dolphins. Other animals include the Smith’s Red
Rock Rabbit, Cape Greysbok, Porcupine, Small Spotted Genet and Cape Clawless
Otter. The Cape Leopard do still exist on the mountain but are rarely seen.
Snakes are also an important part of the natural ecosystem. Visitors should
exercise caution when they encounter snakes and do not harm snakes or attempt
to remove it on your own. Report it to an official who will arrange for the snake
to be removed.
Baboons are opportunistic animals and have been known to raid dustbins and
campsites within the resort area. Do Not feed baboons. Keep your food items
locked away.
Flora
With more than 1600 plant species, the Kogel Berg Biosphere Reserve boasts the
greatest floral diversity per unit area than anywhere else in the world.
The vegetation type is Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, comprising a low, closed
shrubland cattered with tall shrubs. There are many of species of Proteas and
their relatives, hundreds of species of Erica and a host of endemic species and
families. There are numerous seeps and seasonally saturated wetlands dominated
by Bruniaceae and Restios.
Fynbos is a fire driven ecosystem and needs fire to survive. Unfortunately the
occurrence of too frequent fires can be damaging to the ecosystem resulting in a
loss of diversity. Visitors to Kogelbay should be firewise by doing the following:
• Make sure braai fires are extinguished properly before leaving your camp.
• Only make fires in designated camping and day visitor facilities
• Do not throw cigarette butts out of car windows.
• Report fires to 107
Be responsible
Waste matter pollutes and kills
Waste is anything we throw away that is not taken back into nature
Waste is a health risk, because creatures such as rats and flies are attracted to
badly managed waste and this causes human diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid
and cholera.
Over 80% of South African Marine pollution consists of plastics, which often kills
sea birds, seals, turtles and even whales.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE SAKE OF
ALL LIVING CREATURES, INCLUDING YOUR CHILDREN!!!